Video continuity task

1. Preliminary task 2
Video continuity task
Ada Dzamic
AS Media Studies

2. Introduction
For the video continuity task, I had to produce a video
footage that demonstrates the following camera and
editing techniques:
• Dialogue
• 180-degree rule
• Shot/reverse shot
• Match on action
During this task I will carry out research in order to be
familiar with the technical elements as well as the
narrative and compositional components.

3. Shot/reverse shot
Shot/reverse shot is a film technique, used for continuity
editing, in dialogue scenes, when one character is shown
looking at another character and then the other character
is shown looking back at the first character. This is often
off-screen. Since the audience sees the characters facing in
opposite directions, the viewer normally predicts that they
are looking at each other. When edited together, it gives
the audience a sense of continuous action, making it seem
as if they’re watching the scene in real time.

4. Example

5. Match on action
Match on action refers to film and video editing techniques
when the editor cuts from one shot to another view that
matches the first shot’s action. A common example of this
is a man walking up to a door and reaching for the knob.
Just as his hand touches the knob, the scene cuts to a shot
of the door opening on the other side. Although the two
shots may have been shot hours apart from each other,
cutting on action gives the feeling of continuity when
watching the edited film.

6. Example

7. 180-degree rule
In filmmaking, the 180-degree rule is a simple rule that
controls the camera set up relating to two characters who
are facing each other. It is as if they are standing on the
opposite sides of an imaginary line between them (180-
degree space between them). The cameras are usually set
up to be behind the two characters, but on the same side
of the line. That way, we get the impression that they are
looking at each other, and depending who is speaking they
are either left or right in the frame from the other
character. One camera can also catch both of them in the
frame, on opposite ends of the line. Breaking this rule is
done for particular effects and it means crossing that line.
If the camera crosses it behind one character, slowly, it
feels as if someone unseen is walking behind the character,
which could be effective in conveying drama or battle
scenes.

9. Storyline
The story takes place in a room. There is a girl sitting on
the bed, taking a picture with a polaroid camera of an
apple on a desk, while having a conversation with her
mum. While she is waiting for the picture to be
processed, she grabs the apple, takes a bite and then
puts it back on the desk. Then, she finds that the apple in
the picture was a bit bitten and has a strange thought on
her mind. She wants to confirm it by taking a picture of a
vase. This time, the vase disappears and she is very
bewildered. She looks at the vase, wondering why the
vase would disappear. Suddenly, the doorbell rings. There
is a delivery guy standing there, holding a package and
the girl lets him in. The girl signs the package, but soon
after, she finds out that the delivery guy is actually a
murder.

10. Script

11. Storyboard

13. Cast/crew list
Name: Ada
Age: 16
Nationality: British/Serbian
Characteristics: hardworking, quiet,
musical
Name: Nikoleta
Age: 18
Nationality: Chinese
Characteristics: smart, funny,
beautiful

14. Location search
First location:
Pros: all the props are
already in that location
Cons: far away from
school, not much space
for filming
Second location:
Pros: larger space for filming
Cons: far away from school

15. Equipment/prop list
 Equipment list:
 1x camera
 1x charger
 Prop list:
 1x apple
 1x phone
 1x vase
 1x delivery package
 1x pen

16. Costume list
Ada:
1. Black t-shirt
2. Jeans
Nikoleta:
1. Black trousers
2. Black hoodie